ON EAPID STREAMS. 93 



to describe will be found very useful, and the same 

 principles extended to one of greater length will 

 constitute a rod to command almost any breadth 

 of water. 



I would say, then, a rod for the early months 

 should not be shorter than twelve feet, nor longer 

 than fourteen ; this difference will allow a more 

 correct adaptation of the rod to particular streams 

 and different individuals ; a medium length, how- 

 ever, as a general rule, will be the most useful. 

 Of whatsoever woods we prefer to have our rods 

 made, it is absolutely necessary that such woods 

 be most carefully selected, and the slightest flaw, 

 a knot, an obliquely running grain, that is to 

 say, the fibres of the wood taking such a diverse or 

 oblique direction that the wood could not be 

 worked or split down parallel to it before planing; 

 in short, if ever the least doubt from any cause 

 arises respecting the condition or quality of our 

 material, the mind must instantly incline to a 

 decided rejection of the rod completed, or the 

 rough material intended to form a rod. Rods are 

 made of different woods, and several woods gene- 

 rally contribute to each rod, selected according to 

 their pliability, their lightness, toughness, and 

 stiffness, to take that portion of the rod where 

 their pre-eminent qualities will be most brought 

 into play, and to fulfil purposes and requirements 

 for which each is best adapted ; for we must know 

 that in a rod we desire not one simple end to be 

 obtained as in a bow, for example, where vibra- 

 tion is all that is requisite to affect the string for 



